Cat owners have been attacked for dumping their pets outside a Keighley animal shelter.

A Yorkshire Cat Rescue spokesman hit out after a kitten was left on a cold night near the Cross Roads refuge.

The nine-week-old kitten, right – named Dawn by rescue centre staff – was left with a note saying her owner was being evicted.

Christina Savage, from the charity, said leaving a kitten in a box on a cold night on a very busy road was highly irresponsible.

She said one of the charity’s supporters – passing the drive – had spotted the box and pulled it out of the way of a large lorry.

Christina said: “Dawn’s chances of being found were minute – everyone was shaking with shock at what could have been the outcome for her.

“People really must stop leaving cats like this. It is completely irresponsible, dangerous and inhumane.”